When I had downloaded the title track from this fourth album, I was convinced Blindside was returning to the sound of their second album (A Thought Crushed My Mind). I was expecting to hear raw and wild hardcore with lots of screams and some clean vocals. Even though these hard elements are all over About A Burning Fire, the melodic emocore elements prevail. With the first listen it's clear Blindside made a very fine recording, both sound as song wise. It's the blend of powerful rock music with melody that convinces in songs like After You're Gone, Follow You Down and Across Waters Again. Twice the band mellows down to catch a breath. In these two songs you can hear instruments like trumpet (in Roads) and cello & violin (in Shekina) add to the album's curiosity. And then I almost forgot to mention Billy Corgan of the Smashing Pumpkins. You can hear him in Hooray, It's LA!. Great stuff!
Other coverage for this album
The Phantom Tollbooth 2004Reviewed by Shawn DickinsonWhen Blindside signed their major label contract back in 2002, I have to admit that I was skeptical. I've seen many of my "underground" favorites attempt at jumping onto the big corporate machine, only to fall into contractual limbo or to be turned into a copy of the current 'it' band. I was horrified at thinking Elektra Records would turn their new Swedish acquisition into a White Stripes or…Similar sounding releases
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